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Sunday, June 27, 2010

I'm glad to have Gail on my blog. I love her books. Gail is actually in Europe right now, so I don't know if she'll be able to interact with you, or not. Welcome Gail. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Certainly my interests and faith are reflected in my work, but I don’t pattern characters after my personality. I have used overly neat characters in two novels, and that’s one of my traits.What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Much of my life is quirky but not always things I want to talk about. But one weirdest thing that comes to mind is going up in a hotair balloon when I have a tremendous fear of heights. I wanted to include the event in one of my novels. It was a great experience I would do it again.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In the third grade, my teacher wrote a “Gail is a good writer” in my report card. I wrote poetry and short stories. I knew I loved books and wanted to a writer. The reality didh’t happen until over forty years later.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love women’s fiction. Many of my favorites are secular authors, such as: Maeve Binchy, Rosamund Pilcher, and Anne Tyler. I enjoy Christian women’s fiction—Lisa Samson is one of my favorites—and also suspense. Oddly I’ve never been a romance reader although that’s what I write mainly .If you want to know why, ask God.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

The list is far too long. Bride in Training is my forty-fourth published novel. My books are mainly romance, but I’ve also written romantic suspense and women’s fiction. I enjoy writing books in series. The Loving series contained seven novels revolving around a fictitious town called Loving, Michigan. Each story was stand alone but included characters from the other stories so keeping track of them over the years was task.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I question if I’ve kept it, but if I have, I do it through organization, concentration, and prayer.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Names have a personality. I try to find a name that fits my character. I use a website that provides information about names, and I check that for ideas. I also avoid using names that begin with the same letter or sounds too much like another character’s name in the book, such as Tom and Tim.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

In life, being happily married for 25 years and growing in my faith. In writing, having many of my books win national awards and having The Christmas Kite optioned by Producer Larry Levinson for a Hallmark TV movie.

That's really exciting--all of it. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Since reading Watership Down, I’ve had a fondness for Rabbits. I suppose I also felt sorry for Peter Rabbit as a kid, too. My yard is filled with them, so a rabbit would be my choice. They are quiet, docile, and cuddly.

What is your favorite food?

Do you have a few hours? I love food in general. Food is a social event that has always been important in my family. When company comes food is involved. I love to cook and so does my husband. We enjoy restaurants, especially Greek, Mid-Eastern and Italian. Give me, tzaziki sauce chicken shawarma and pizza to name three things in the list of thousands that I enjoy.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Pacing was a problem for me and held me back from publication. I delved into the topic and learned the importance of pacing and techniques that helped me overcome the problem.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Like any skill, learning to write for publication takes patience, practice and perseverance. Traditional publishers accepts only quality writing that reflects the author’s talent and the skill of using writing techniques effectively. It’s worth the wait to see your books in stores where you receive a fair wage for your labor, as the Bible says.

Tell us about the featured book?

Bride In Training is the third and last book in the Man’s Best Friend series. The three stories are based on three women involved with a dog shelter. This book is Emily’s story where she is a dog sitter/walker and works part-time for the shelter. Emily has faced a scandalous past, and her shame holds her back from living fully. When she helps train Martin Davis’s dog, she realizes Martin needs some training too, but Emily ends up learning the most about forgiveness and love.

This series was written in memory of our daughter Brenda who died in 2006. She loved animals and owned two border collies, active in agility and flyball. Brenda fostered dogs and was an excellent dog trainer. She would have loved this series.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Good decision? Bad?

Martin Davis gripped his steering wheel as he eyed the shelter’s Time for Paws neon sign glowing in the dusk. He’d never thought he would darken the doors of a dog shelter, but he was. Now the question hung in his mind. Was it a good decision or bad one? He’d become lonely without Suzette, his Bouvier, but he hadn’t been able to handle her. Sometimes he wondered what he could handle. Not dogs or women, apparently.

So if he couldn’t deal with Suzette, why come here to look for another dog? He released his grip on the steering wheel, fell back against the seat, and rubbed his temples. Because he couldn’t bear coming home to an empty house longer. He’d been a failure as a husband. Cats were too aloof. Dogs? He had hopes.

Martin ran his fingers through his hair. He’d been alone for eight years since his wife walked out on him. The loneliness had faded, he thought, but since his brother, Nick, married, he had stopped dropping by for visits. That was the whole of it. Being alone wasn’t for Martin anymore.

Thank you, Gail, for spending this time with us.Readers, here's the link. By using this link when you order the book, you help support this blog.

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The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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We were chatting about this series during the Steeple Hill chat last Thursday! I asked if there were any books featuring dogs since I love them so much (I have a collie and a sheltie) and this series was suggested to me! We all agreed that the covers for this series were adorable too! Please sign me up!

I would love to win a copy of this book. I have not read anything by Gail Martin that I can remember but I am going to start looking at her site and get started. Thanks for the chance to win "Bride In Training" ybutler@oppcatv.com

Thanks, Lena and everyone who has commented. The Man's Best Friend is a series of 3 books featuring women who are involved with a dog shelter. I'm so pleased you like the covers. Dad In Training featured Molly and a golden retreiver plus Fred the border collie who is book 2 also. Book 2, Groom In Training, with Fred is his owner Steph who owns a doggie day care and helps Molly in the shelter. Fred has a romance in Book 2 -- which was so fun to write and then Emily and Nessie a Cairn Terrier is in Bride In Training. I've owned dogs and cats and so really enjoyed bringing some true stories to life in this series. Best wishes to you all -- and I'm on my way to Germany so t he book may be late getting to the winner, but it will I promise.

Thanks for the wonderful interview. I love the stories that I've read of yours so far. The stories are very touching. I always look forward to the new books that you come out with. I can't wait to read the next book "Bride in Training." Please enter me in the book drawing.

I'm reading about your book as I sit here petting my 2 Rat Terriers. Have always wanted a Bouvier, but that wasn't one of the breeds I've had. I also own a rescued Old English Sheepdog...he came to as a 3 year old throw away...heart worm positive! He is a Love!I would love to read your book!